The moment the Announcer's incredibly shocked shout rang out, half of the audience stood up from their seats.
The audience, who had originally cheered for Mejiro McQueen's acceleration in the final turn, had already stopped their cheers when Mihono Bourbon narrowed the distance between herself and Mejiro McQueen to half a horse length.
No. 1 Mihono Bourbon and No. 4 Mejiro McQueen actually crossed the finish line simultaneously.
The race a year ago was also like this, but the result was already known at that time.
Mejiro McQueen won against Rice Shower by a mere nose.
This time, however, the scoreboard clearly displayed [PHOTO].
This meant that both crossed the finish line simultaneously, with almost zero time difference, making it impossible to distinguish the difference with the naked eye, so the winner would be determined by a photo finish.
In the vast venue, few voices could be heard.
The audience all stared in shock at Mejiro McQueen, who was panting wildly, hands on her knees, past the finish line, and Mihono Bourbon, who was also gasping for air, clutching her ample chest.
No one spoke at this time; they were all quietly waiting for the final judgment of the result.
Sakura Bakushin O had already had a premonition that Mihono Bourbon might activate her domain, but she had not expected this cyborg to be so strong as to require a photo finish with Mejiro McQueen.
"Last time, Rice Shower and McQueen crossed the finish line simultaneously, ultimately losing by a nose."
"This time, Mihono Bourbon and McQueen also crossed the finish line simultaneously, but a photo finish is needed..."
"The strength of these two Horse Girls is certainly not as good as McQueen's, but McQueen's rate of strength improvement is getting slower and slower..."
"So, if this Mihono Bourbon, who has activated her domain, catches up in strength, will McQueen still have a chance to win against her?"
"No, this time it might not even be McQueen's victory..."
A sense of panic finally surged in Sakura Bakushin O's calm heart, not because someone was about to surpass Mejiro McQueen.
Instead, she was worried that after this battle, McQueen would be left with a shadow in her heart.
Sakura Bakushin O understood Mejiro McQueen extremely well; all the confidence of this seemingly arrogant young lady came from her excellent strength.
Mejiro McQueen was a talented Horse Girl, and she was not conceited, but rather persisted in training several times more than other Horse Girls.
Tokai Teio's talent was no less than hers, and her effort was equally no less than hers. Both of them were members of Sakura Bakushin O's team, so Sakura Bakushin O wasn't worried that Mejiro McQueen would be disheartened after losing to Teio.
But this time, Mihono Bourbon was different. This was an Horse Girl who had once lost to Rice Shower, and Rice Shower was an Horse Girl who had once lost to McQueen.
After a year of training, Mejiro McQueen's overall strength had undoubtedly improved compared to a year ago.
But if she, who had trained so thoroughly, were to lose to Mihono Bourbon here, she would likely suffer a considerable blow.
Once an Horse Girl feels that she cannot catch up to others no matter how hard she tries, let alone breaking through herself and activating her domain, even normal races would likely be difficult to perform.
"Is the domain really that strong? I didn't think so back then... No matter what, this race will be a considerable shock for McQueen..."
Sakura Bakushin O crossed her arms under her chest, her fingers gripping her other arm tightly in nervousness, to the point of slight pain.
Tokai Teio and the two new Horse Girls both turned their heads and noticed the nervous Sakura Bakushin O. They, who had intended to say something, all silently closed their mouths and turned back, nervously awaiting the final result.
"Miss McQueen..." Satono Diamond also clasped her hands in front of her chest, constantly praying for Mejiro McQueen in her heart.
Just as Satono Diamond was nervously praying, Sakura Bakushin O quickly walked past her from behind, running towards the spectator seats closest to Mejiro McQueen.
"The result is out! The final winner is—"
"Mejiro McQueen!"
Amidst an atmosphere where countless people were too nervous to breathe, the Announcer announced the race results.
Immediately, many sounds of exhaling echoed in the venue.
"Let's congratulate Mejiro McQueen for maintaining her Spring Tenno Sho winning streak, taking her fourth Spring Tenno Sho championship!"
"Second place goes to Mihono Bourbon, who returned after more than a year, and she delivered an excellent comeback performance."
"Third place is Nice Nature, who overtook the two BNW members in the final straight..."
...The incredibly noisy cheers, mixed with the Announcer's voice announcing the results, drifted around Mejiro McQueen, but failed to penetrate her ears.
Sweat slowly slid down her fair and beautiful face to her smooth chin, then dripped onto the grass.
Mejiro McQueen's eyes were wide open, her purple pupils still trembling slightly.
"What was that just now? What exactly was Mihono Bourbon's Presence? She rested for so long without racing, why could she still have such speed? Didn't she already fall to fifth place, why could she catch up again?"
Countless questions emerged in Mejiro McQueen's heart. She slowly raised her hands, which had been propped on her knees, to her front, only to find that her hands were even trembling slightly.
The cheers gradually entered Mejiro McQueen's ears, and colorful confetti flying in the air entered Mejiro McQueen's vision. She suddenly turned her head to look at the stands and realized the fact of her victory.
She took several deep breaths before finally calming the panic in her heart slightly.
However, after calming the panic in her heart, Mejiro McQueen realized another problem... if she herself had suffered such a great blow, then Mihono Bourbon, who had almost created a miracle, would surely be... Mejiro McQueen turned her gaze to Mihono Bourbon's face beside her, and indeed saw that the expressionless, emotionally detached Mihono Bourbon was radiating a strong Presence of disappointment and sorrow.
"I lost... I couldn't fulfill my promise to Rice Shower, and I couldn't surpass Rice Shower..."
But she didn't have such obvious movements and facial expressions like Mejiro McQueen.
Yet, it was Mejiro McQueen, who was used to her expressionless appearance, who felt even more intensely how profound the trace of loneliness Mihono Bourbon was showing at that moment was.
Mejiro McQueen slowly walked to Mihono Bourbon's side and gently patted her shoulder.
Upon seeing the robotic Horse Girl's gaze turn towards her, Mejiro McQueen looked at Mihono Bourbon's dull eyes, but suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Miss Bourbon!! Miss Bourbon!!"
Rice Shower shouted at Mihono Bourbon from the stands, but Mihono Bourbon seemed not to hear, just standing there blankly.
Just as Rice Shower was anxious and wanted to directly jump over the railing, she was suddenly held by the shoulder.
She turned her head and saw that it was Mejiro McQueen's trainer, Sakura Bakushin O.
"That cyborg Horse Girl, quickly look at the scoreboard!"
Sakura Bakushin O shouted at Mihono Bourbon. Hearing her voice, Mihono Bourbon mechanically turned her head little by little.
After seeing the content displayed on it, a glimmer of light suddenly returned to Mihono Bourbon's previously lifeless eyes.
Because the scoreboard clearly recorded her and Mejiro McQueen's results.
"Record (New Record)"
"3:16.2"
She and Mejiro McQueen once again broke the New Record set by Mejiro McQueen and Rice Shower a year ago.